Gochujang Potato Stew Recipe (2024)

By Eric Kim

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Gochujang Potato Stew Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Rating
5(3,917)
Notes
Read community notes

Plush baby potatoes braised in an aromatic gochujang broth form the heart of this satisfying, vegetable-packed stew. The spice-timid can lower the amount of gochujang, the Korean red-pepper paste, and heat seekers should feel free to add more to taste at the end. Canned white beans and dark-green Tuscan kale (also called lacinato or dinosaur kale), stewed with soy sauce and honey, create a deeply savory flavor that is reminiscent of South Korean gochujang jjigae, a camping favorite starring pantry staples, and dakdori tang, a gochujang-based chicken and potato stew.

Featured in: Gochujang Is So Much More Than a Condiment

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
  • 1large red onion, coarsely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 5large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 3tablespoons gochujang, plus more to taste
  • 3cups vegetable broth
  • 2tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1teaspoon honey or dark brown sugar
  • 1pound baby gold or fingerling potatoes, large ones halved
  • 1(15-ounce) can cannellini or butter beans, rinsed
  • 1large bunch Tuscan kale, stems and leaves chopped (6 packed cups)
  • Cooked white rice, for serving
  • Sour cream and chopped flat-leaf parsley (both optional), for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

388 calories; 9 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 65 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 15 grams protein; 1248 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Gochujang Potato Stew Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Melt the butter and add the onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and gochujang, and stir until heated through and fragrant, just a few seconds.

  2. Stir in the vegetable broth, soy sauce, honey, potatoes and beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle boil. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, then add the kale. (It will seem like a lot at first but will wilt down considerably.) Tamping down the kale, continue gently boiling the covered stew, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the broth is thickened to your liking, 10 to 20 minutes. Taste the broth and add more salt, pepper and gochujang as desired.

  3. Step

    3

    Serve the stew alongside white rice and, for coolness against the heat, top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of parsley, if using.

Ratings

5

out of 5

3,917

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

David

Terrific but salty. Recipe calls for two rounds of seasoning, plus soy sauce and the sodium in broth, beans, and gochujang. I'll definitely make again but will look for ways to cut down on the saltiness.

Rachel

I accidentally poisoned my boyfriend because I didn’t know gochujang contains gluten so we spent four hours in the ER after eating this, but long story short check for gluten free gochujang and this stew slaps

Jessica

I made this in the pressure cooker! Left out the honey/dark brown sugar. Used saute function for onions and garlic, then added gochujang and soy sauce. Sauteed that all together for a minute or two. Then added potatoes and vegetable broth and pressure cooked for 12 minutes. Used saute function once again after pressure release and added canned beans, kale, and mushrooms (per other comments). Quick to make, delicious, warming, and hearty! Will be making again.

Poppy

I used frozen spinach instead of kale and it turned out great.

John

Fellow cooks, be aware that gochujang comes in two degrees of heat: Hot, and Mild. I would start with Mild b/c that way yiu can add the full amount and get the flavor without it being possibly too much heat. “Using less” to me just means I could end up with something too hot to enjoy and would have to toss it and make it again using less gochujang. A waste of my time and effort. Why not start mild and if I want more heat after tasting I add either hot gochujang, sriracha, or other hot sauce.

Boykin

This is so easy and delicious. I made it because I had the ingredients and Eric Kim never disappoints. (Really, never.) Yes, make the rice and add the sour cream.

Paul

My wife and I love spicy food but found this to be far too hot for our taste. Perhaps it was the brand of Gochujang we purchased.I even double-checked the recipe after I tasted it.I think a warning or a range (1-3 T., for example) would be a good idea.

Levi P

Add mushrooms and radishes (not too early) for a little interest!

doc

This was a delicious, hearty stew with a kick. Easy once everything is chopped. Added mushrooms. I’d reduce some greens next time or add more liquid since much of it was absorbed by the time everything cooked down. Potatoes took longer than directed (30 mins) to fully cook. Thumbs up. Would make again.

Ellen L

My son did the cooking, so I don’t have full knowledge of alterations. We had cooked chickpeas on hand that were subbed. And the market he went to didn’t have the desired potatoes, so he cut red skinned potatoes into chunks. I had a container of baby kale, so we used that for the greens. We didn’t measure, but I would have added more than the couple of handfuls. Our guochugang came from Trader Joe’s and was not too spicy. It was delicious and satisfying. I plan to make it for vegetarian friends.

hillary

Made as written and it was tasty and satisfying but I think it could use a touch of acid. Next time I’ll throw some lemon juice in at the end. I will definitely make this again.

Mx.Sofie

Made a version of this with slow cooker'erd Rancho Gordo beans, instead of canned. Stellar. I added a drizzle of honey, lemon, 1oz feta & maldon salt flakes as a topper, (no rice) I ate with a slice of toasted country bread from Tartine (in SF) and slathered in Straus salted butter. dynamite!

Beachwriter

When I saw the ingredient list, I indulged in that smug feeling of having ALL the ingredients on hand, including the gochujang and those cute little pearl potatoes in different colors. On a rainy, miserable Sunday morning, we made a 1/2 recipe for just the two of us and served it with a poached egg on top. I skipped the parsley because it was too cold and wet outside to go snip it from the garden. Although comforting, the dish isn't exactly bursting with flavor, but it was simple to fix.

Charlene

This was so easy and so good. I didn't have any kale, only spinach, so I threw it in at the end, and it tasted great. Thanks, Eric, for another interesting recipe.

Urs B

So easy and tasty. Added a side of cucumber salad, which was a great contrast to this hearty, spicy, and umami dish.

em b

this is the best thing I’ve made in a while after a string of failed recipes, and it reminded me why I like cooking. no notes! already planning to make it again this weekend.

Logan

I’ve made many variations, each delicious. I prefer to use less potato and sub carrot to add sweetness. I’ve also used chickpeas when that’s all I had on hand.

JessT

This was sensational! Easily the best thing I’ve made this year.

BFF

Made this again since it’s become a family favorite. Followed exactly as written. TJs has pre-packaged chopped and washed kale. I dumped the whole bag and it was the right amount. This time saving trick makes this recipe a weeknight meal as the only thing left to chop is the onion, and roughly. I recommend cooking the soup for the full 20 min, which allows all the flavors to meld together. Don’t skip on the sour cream!

john

Go easy on gochujang no more than 1.5 Tbsp

Susan Bass

Delicious, but super hot. I will step back the gochujang. I was out of sour cream, but I had some crème frache which was fabulous on top.

matt

this soup turned it

CConcordia

We like mildly spicy food, so I used 1 Tablespoon of gochujang. I had a few mushrooms that needed to be used, so I added them near the end of cooking time. Other than that, followed the recipe as written. Delicious! Love the aroma and taste. Will definitely make this again and soon.

Ali

Holy hell was this delicious! Didn't change a thing and won't next time either! The sour cream and parsley are the perfect finishing touches and while I was skeptical about the potential for rice/potato starch overload, the rice is perfect for sopping up the scrumptious sauce. A keeper!!

Mandie P.

I cooked this w/o the beans; my children would not have eaten it. Also, we added 1/3 more of the ingredients to make for more volume and use an entire “box” of vegetable broth. I wish I had made more! It was a BIG hit! You can’t have enough broth! I could have added another “box” of broth & then equal amounts Gochujang to have had ample enough for the ‘left overs’. We had chicken pot stickers on the side for protein. :-) This one’s a KEEPER!

Laurinda

Good starting recipe. Given differences in gochujang heat levels I agree that it is better to start small and increase to taste. I used one tablespoon and it was pleasantly hot but not deadly. We handle heat well, so it may be that the gochujang I have leans hot. I definitely would cut potatoes smaller next time, use half the amount, or leave out and add more beans. I used cannellini and liked them. I used frozen spinach as that’s what I had. I will definitely make again with preferred changes.

Meegan

Waaayyyy too much kale: it completely overwhelmed the soup.I added a couple of parmesan rinds and a dollop of brown miso that helped tremendously. Next time I'll use less salt and spinach instead of kale.

Sarah A

This was unexpectedly loved by my family. Took the advice of other reviewers and didn't add the salt. The sour cream was a really good addition.We're going to add hot dogs next time in homage to budae jjgae

paigeb

Third time this winter of 23/24 I’ve made this. It’s a resounding hit. I use sweet potatoes when I make it, whatever spicy concoction is available, and spinach for the kale. It’s a basic combo with easy substitutes and a result that’s addictive. If you know me, I’ve probably shared this recipe with you!

kmccann18

Like DJQ I’m cooking up my Royal Coronas now and Also planning to add cauliflower to up the veggies and because I live it !

Private notes are only visible to you.

Gochujang Potato Stew Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with gochujang? ›

A little gochujang goes a long way. Use it as a base ingredient in Korean dishes, soups, stews and stir-fries. Its spicy flavour means it also works well as a marinade or with tacos and burgers.

How to cook with Korean gochujang paste? ›

We use gochujang most often as a base for stews such as Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew), Dakgalbi (Spicy Korean Chicken Stir Fry) and Tteokbokki. It can also be used to amp up dipping sauces, bring savoury intensity to soups, and be slathered on as a marinade for meats such as Korean fried chicken.

Is gochujang very spicy? ›

Is gochujang spicy? Not necessarily, so don't let that get in your way. Heat levels can vary between brands, so you may want to check the packaging to see if there's any indication of spiciness. Otherwise you might like to try out a couple of brands to find out your preference.

How much Gochujang paste to use? ›

You'll often find gochujang in Korean dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi, as well as a number of stews and sauces. A little goes a long way with this umami-boosting ingredient. In the recipes below, only about a tablespoon or two of gochujang is called for, but you can always add more to suit your tastes.

Is gochujang good for stomach? ›

Fermented soybeans in Gochujang makes it a great source of probiotics that can boost healthy gut microbiomes. Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for digestion and overall gut health.

What do Koreans use gochujang for? ›

Traditional Korean dishes that include gochujang are bibimbap, a mixed rice dish, tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake street food, and Jeyuk Bokkeum, a spicy marinated pork stir-fry.

Do you need to refrigerate Gochujang paste after opening? ›

How to Store Gochujang. Once opened, gochujang should be stored in the refrigerator. Like miso, it has quite a long shelf life, as long as it hasn't dried out or changed in color. Should you find yourself with a lot of gochujang leftover, remember that it can be used up in lots of different ways.

What is the difference between gochujang sauce and gochujang paste? ›

In its truest form, gochujang is sold as a thick paste, often in plastic tubs and glass jars, and ready for cooking. The kind labeled a sauce or condiment is the same paste, thinned out with other ingredients such as sugar and vinegar.

How long does gochujang last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Gochujang Last? The good thing about this condiment is that it's going to last you for a while. It can last up to 2 years when properly sealed in a refrigerator. Though, once you try this stuff, there's no way you'll be able to keep a single tub for that long.

Is gochujang hotter than sriracha? ›

It's like sriracha but has a deeper flavor profile with less vinegar and more sweetness. Gochujang is also less spicy than sriracha, so if you like sweet-spicy combinations then gochujang will be the perfect addition to your kitchen pantry.

How long does gochujang last once opened? ›

If you aren't using it very often then it may be a good idea to wrap the box tightly in some clingfilm (plastic wrap) to help prevent the paste from drying out. If there is no date on the box then we would suggest using the paste within 3 months of opening, provided it is refrigerated.

Is sriracha the same as gochujang? ›

Meet gochujang, the savory Korean sauce that, like sriracha, is made from fermented red peppers, but has a more savory, salty, deep flavor. “It's like hot sauce-meets-umami flavor,” chef Edward Lee, owner of 610 Magnolia & Milkwood in Louisville, Kentucky, told ABC News.

Can you use gochujang by itself? ›

On its own, gochujang is quite pungent, so it's usually mixed with other ingredients to balance its intensity. In Korea, it's typically stirred into marinades for meat, stews, and stir-fries, or cut with vinegar or oil so it can be served as a sauce. You'll also find it on Korean fried chicken.

Can I eat gochujang alone? ›

While gochujang is sometimes reduced to “Korean hot sauce,” the paste in its truest form is not meant to be used as a stand-alone condiment but rather as an ingredient.

Why add sugar to gochujang? ›

You're likely to see gochujang cut with another ingredients, like sesame oil, crushed garlic, sugar, and/or soy sauce, any of which help to balance some of its intensity.

Why is gochujang so popular? ›

Gochujang has become the most fundamental of these kinds of food in Korea over thousands of years, functioning to make add flavor to rice taste better while aiding the digestive system. Gochujang also serves as a simple seasoning when making dishes such as braised spicy chicken, and provide additional nutrients.

What's the difference between Gochujang paste and Gochujang sauce? ›

Gochujang, the Korean fermented red pepper paste, is thick and glossy with a spicy savoriness that lingers. Thin it out with soy sauce and vinegar to create a gochujang sauce, or swirl it into brown sugar and butter for cookies. Credit...

What is the spice level of gochujang? ›

Gochujang rates on the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale at less than 1,000 units, while gochujang is on the even milder side. For comparison, a jalapeño pepper's rating comes in at 2,500–8,000 units.

Does gochujang taste bitter? ›

Fermentation gives it a deep flavor

But, what is that very satisfying yet not quite salty, not quite bitter flavor called? Of course, umami. The incredibly long fermentation period that gochujang goes through, which can sometimes last years, further adds to the earthy depth of this paste.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 5983

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.